Expandable storage system for a metal bed frame

ABSTRACT

An expandable storage system for a metal bed frame which includes a plurality of support rails spaced apart, secured on and across the metal bed frame. Each support rail has a long L-shaped blade and a short L-shaped crosspiece located at a first end of the long L-shaped blade to engage with the metal bed frame. Each support rail can further have a second short L-shaped crosspiece located at a second end of the long L-shaped blade to engage with the metal bed frame. A hanging structure is for suspending various types of items from the support rails, thereby making the items more accessible and convenient for a person to retrieve and use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/254,811, filed on Oct. 26, 2009, in the United States Patent & Trademark Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an under bed storage apparatus, and more particularly, an expandable storage system for a metal bed frame.

The expandable storage system for a metal bed frame allows a person to attach storage drawers, storage bins, and hangers, to an existing metal bed frame. The present invention also allows for the storage of various firearms such as rifles and handguns. The system provides supplemental storage in the bedroom, assisting the person in organizing. The extra storage drawers, storage bins, and hangers also make items more accessible, thereby providing convenience for the person.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Many individuals own a metal bed frame, which supports their mattress and box spring. These frames often sit low to the ground, limiting the amount of available storage space. The frames do not include any drawers or hangers that the individual can utilize. Bedrooms have a tendency to become cluttered and disorganized. It is beneficial to have important items accessible and within reach. A more efficient way is needed.

Numerous innovations for bed storage organizers have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention.

A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,556, Issued on Dec. 10, 1991, to Gloger teaches a knockdown bed formed of a plurality of longitudinally spaced, parallel, transversely extending, U-shaped channel members detachably coupled by latch assemblies within respective ends of the U-shaped channel members engaging receiver assemblies fitted at longitudinally spaced positions on facing surfaces of opposed side boards of the bed, with the channel members having open slots on each side thereof, and receiving thin, rectangular panels to form a planar box spring and mattress support across the top of the bed, act to partially suspend drawers which are positioned beneath the planar box spring and mattress support.

A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,888, Issued on Jun. 7, 1994, to Towns teaches a device for attachment to a bed frame for the receipt of articles therein having a receptacle with a closed end and an open end, a door fastened to the open end, a lock attached to the door so as to fix a position of the door with respect to the receptacle, a clamp attached to a forward end of the receptacle so as to affix the receptacle to the bed frame, and a support connected to a back end of the receptacle so as to support the receptacle above a surface. The clamp is a mounting bracket affixed by a bolt to the receptacle. An area between the receptacle and the mounting bracket engages corresponding surfaces of the bed frame. The receptacle has a top surface, a base, a pair of sides, and a pair of ends extending upwardly relative to the base. The support is an extendible leg fastened to a rear end of the receptacle so as to support the receptacle in a generally level condition.

A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,765, Issued on May 22, 2001, to Verhulst teaches a storage device or organizer for use with a cot/bed or some other support structure. The organizer has a main body formed from a flexible material and includes a pouch for storing an elongated article such as a fishing rod and reel or a rifle with a scope. It also includes a variety of pockets for storing personal items, a holder for a container such as a beverage container, an eyeglass holder, a flashlight holder and/or a pen holder. The organizer further includes a shelf. A plurality of straps may be provided for securing the organizer to the frame of a bed/cot or another support structure.

A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,292,960, Issued on Sep. 25, 2001, to Bowling teaches an improved concealed safe for concealment of firearms and other valuables therein, the safe being sized and shaped to replace a bed box-springs. The safe includes a top surface to support a mattress of a bed, a bottom surface to engage a supporting floor, a plurality of exterior side walls and corners being sized and shaped to support a mattress bed. The safe includes an internal storage cavity bounded by interior walls a lower floor. The safe includes side wall openings through at least one of the exterior side walls and through respective interior walls, into which one or more drawers can be inserted into the storage cavity. Each drawer is lockable and concealed from view when inserted into the safe in a concealed position, and each drawer is extendable outwards from the storage cavity into an exposed position. A rolling means supports each drawer and allows each drawer to be moved along at least one pair of roller tracks positioned on an interior wall within the storage cavity, providing a user ease of opening and loading each drawer in the exposed position, and allowing closing each drawer to the concealed position into the concealed safe that is hidden under a mattress and appears as a bed box-springs.

A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. D580,172, Issued on Nov. 11, 2008, to Perez teaches an ornamental design for a shoe storage cabinet organizer, as shown and described.

A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,292,960 B1, issued on Sep. 25, 2001, to BOWLING, teaches a safe for concealment under a bed comprises a box like structure sized and shaped to replace a conventional box spring bed base provided with three draws each with rotary or key type lock and at least one handle where each drawer is movably supported on two rolling track running in mating grooves formed in the base of the safe.

A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, Japanese PAT-NO: JP02004261454A, issued on Mar. 3, 2003, to FUKAZAWA, YOSHIMICHI teach a storage 20 under the bed is provided with a frame body 21 freely put in/out from a lower space of the bed 10, a drawer 30 stored in the frame body 21 so as to be put in/out, and a stopper 40 restricting the position of the frame body 21 in the lower space of the bed 10. The stopper 40 is provided with a bed side bracket 41 loosely fitted to the frame member 14 of the bed 10 so as to freely advance/retreat from the lower part, and a frame side bracket 43 fixed to the bed side bracket 41, fallen in an engagement recess part 24 disposed in the upper surface of the frame body 21, and engaged therewith. The brackets 41 and 43 are formed with notch parts 42 and 44 for escaping from a crosspiece member 15.

AN EIGHTH EXAMPLE, JAPANESE PATENT NO. JP02002325655A, Nov. 12, 2002, to NISHIGUCHI, MITSUHARU teaches a supporting member 1 to install the storage equipment for the subsequent attachment is mounted downward to the bottom of a bed frame F. A box body 2 with the bottom has an open front with wheels 3 on the bottom board, and can be drawably accommodated in the space under the bed. The box body 2 is inserted into the space under the bed and is attached to the supporting member 1 through a latching mechanism R. A drawing body 6 is drawably accommodated in the box body 2.

A NINETH EXAMPLE, CHINESE PATENT NUMBER CN201308307 Y, issued on Sep. 16, 2009, to GAN C et al. teach a bed has a bed body provided with multiple cabinets that is made of high-intensity metal frame. The cabinets are respectively mounted with doors, and an inner part of a backrest is fixed with multiple small lattices that are utilized for storing food, medicine, drinking water or precious articles. A bottom part of each cabinet is provided with flat feet and mounted with multiple foot wheels.

It is apparent now that numerous innovations for bed storage organizers have been provided in the prior art that are adequate for various purposes. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, accordingly, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide an expandable storage system for a metal bed frame that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide an expandable storage system for a metal bed frame that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide an expandable storage system for a metal bed frame that is simple to use.

BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide an expandable storage system for a metal bed frame which comprises a plurality of support rails spaced apart, secured on and across the metal bed frame. A hanging structure is for suspending various types of items from the support rails, thereby making the items more accessible and convenient for a person to retrieve and use.

The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The figures of the drawings are briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a person utilizing one storage drawer of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing some of the various support rails on the floor and one secured onto an existing metal bed frame;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the various support rails of the present invention secured onto the existing metal bed frame suspending two firearms, a storage drawer and a storage bin therefrom;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing various hangers mounted onto one support rail; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a storage tube mounted horizontally onto one support rail.

REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING

-   110 expandable storage system -   112 metal bed frame -   114 support rail of system 110 -   116 suspending structure of system 110 -   118 person -   120 long L-shaped blade of support rail 114 -   122 first short L-shaped crosspiece of support rail 114 -   124 first end of long L-shaped blade 120 -   126 second short L-shaped crosspiece of support rail 114 -   128 second end of long L-shaped blade 120 -   130 hanger of suspending structure 116 -   132 fastener -   134 rifle -   136 handgun -   138 storage tube of suspending structure 116 -   139 bracket of storage tube 138 -   140 roller assembly of system 110 -   142 storage drawer of system 110 -   144 slider on storage drawer 142 -   146 lip of system 110 -   148 storage bin of system 110 -   150 flange on storage bin 148 -   152 support bar of metal bed frame 112 -   154 mattress for metal bed frame 112

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The present invention is an expandable storage system 110 for a metal bed frame 112 which comprises a plurality of support rails 114 spaced apart, secured on and across the metal bed frame 112. A structure 116 is for suspending various types of items from the support rails 114, thereby making the items more accessible and convenient for a person 118 to retrieve and use.

Each support rail 114 comprises a long L-shaped blade 120 and a short L-shaped crosspiece 122 located at a first end 124 of the long L-shaped blade 120 to engage with the metal bed frame 112 (T-bar form). Each support rail 114 can further comprise a second short L-shaped crosspiece 126 located at a second end 128 of the long L-shaped blade 120 to engage with the metal bed frame 112. The support rails 114 are made of steel, stainless steel, or metal. The length of the support rails 114 is approximately equal to the width of the metal bed frame 112.

The bed can have the following sizes: Twin—39×75 inches (or 99×190 cm); X-Long Twin—39×80 inches (99×203 cm); Full—54×75 inches (137×190 cm); Queen—60×80 inches (or 153×203 cm); King—76×80 inches (or 198×203 cm); and California King—72×84 inches (or 182×213 cm).

The suspending structure 116 comprises a plurality of various types of hangers 130 mounted by fasteners 132 onto sides of the support rails 114 to accommodate different types of firearms, such as a rifle 134, a handgun 136 and other items to be suspended therefrom. The suspending structure 116 can further comprise a storage tube 138 having a bracket 139 mounted by fasteners 132 horizontally onto a side of one support rail 114 to accommodate wrapping paper and other long items therein.

The system 110 further comprises two roller assemblies 140, with each attached oppositely on one of two support rails 114. A storage drawer 142 has two oppositely positioned sliders 144 to ride in the two roller assemblies 140, whereby the storage drawer 142 can easily move in and out from under the metal bed frame 112. The system 110 further comprises two lips 146, with each attached horizontally and oppositely on one of two support rails 114. A storage bin 148 has two oppositely positioned flanges 150 to slide on the two lips 146, whereby the storage bin 148 can easily move in and out from under the metal bed frame 112.

In summary the expandable storage system 110 for the metal bed frame 112 is a suspension system for the storage drawer 142, the storage bin 148, and the hangers 130 which can be used on the existing metal bed frame 112 or incorporated into new models. The support rails 114 may be comprised out of a metal ninety degree angle member being of a light to medium grade, or other suitable material. The length of the support rails 114 may vary depending on the size of the metal bed frame 112. Queen and king size beds can have a support bar 152 in the center. The system 110 is comprised of the support rails 114 installed onto the metal bed frame 112 under a mattress 154 or a box spring (not shown). Suspended by the support rails 114 are the storage drawer 142, the storage bin 148 and the hangers 130 for holding various types of items.

The storage bin 148 and the storage drawer 142 can be constructed in a variety of sizes and shapes, and be made out of plastic, steel, wood, or other suitable material. For the storage drawer 142, the roller assemblies 140 are attached to two of the support rails 114. The flanges 150 on the storage bin 148 slide on the lips 146 at the bottom of the two support rails 114. The support rails 114 may be double sided in order to add more support rails 114 as needed. The hangers 130 are attached to the support rails 114 to accommodate items such as rifles 134, handguns 136, and fishing poles. Another variation of the hanger 130 may be used to affix a handgun holster thereto. Other attachments, such as the storage tube 138, is connected to the support rail 114 hold a variety of items, such as wrapping paper. The system 110 can be expanded as needed. The exact specifications may vary.

It can be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodiments of an expandable storage system for a metal bed frame, accordingly it is not limited to the details shown, since it can be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing can so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. 

1. An expandable storage system for a metal bed frame which comprises: a) a plurality of support rails spaced apart, secured on and across the metal bed frame; and b) a structure for suspending various types of items from the support rails, thereby making the items more accessible and convenient for a person to retrieve and use.
 2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each the support rail comprises: a) a long L-shaped blade; and b) a short L-shaped crosspiece located at a first end of the long L-shaped blade to engage with the metal bed frame.
 3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein each the support rail further comprises a second short L-shaped crosspiece located at a second end of the long L-shaped blade to engage with the metal bed frame.
 4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the suspending structure comprises a plurality of various types of hangers mounted onto sides of the support rails to accommodate different types of firearms and other items to be suspended therefrom.
 5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the suspending structure comprises a storage tube having a bracket mounted horizontally onto a side of one the support rail to accommodate wrapping paper and other long items therein.
 6. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a) two roller assemblies, each attached oppositely on one of two the support rails; and b) a storage drawer having two oppositely positioned sliders to ride in the two roller assemblies, whereby the storage drawer can easily move in and out from under the metal bed frame.
 7. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a) two lips, each attached horizontally and oppositely on one of two the support rails; and b) a storage bin having two oppositely positioned flanges to slide on the two lips, whereby the storage bin can easily move in and out from under the metal bed frame.
 8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the support rails are select from a group consisting of steel, stainless steel and metal. 